My husband and I are looking into building a small backyard guest house for my aging parents.

Question

We would appreciate any ideas of where to locate plans or website information about building as economically as possible?  Thank you!

JL Spring & Associates · Answer

I'd give a serious look into SIPs additions,homes and cottages Laura. The most energy efficient green home I've ever built. The Sanibel model (640 sq ft) can be developed in any number of floor plans 1/1, 2/1 etc I'll provide you a peep at the history of Sips design, but come back and ask others about their experience. I never had an electric bill over $50 and the first one had window units for heat and cool. Next one had stack washer/dryer and nat gas water heater with same window unit and was about the same but the tenant left everything on all the time! http://www.structall.com/residential/content/pages/sips/SIPA_article.htm Yall come back now heah! JL

Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs · Answer

Laura, The best thing to do is hire a professional who can draw plans as per your current location and space available. You can also use the same plans for permits. A professional will help draw up some plans based on your requirements and also make changes when ever there is one.

Karen G · Answer

Whatever you decide, get at least 3 estimates...this is a must as contractors can be far apart on price. Make sure they get all permits, that they give you a timeline ( which often is underestimated) and that you add 15% to your budget, as that is average for cost overruns. Take nothing for granted-get everything in writing. A contractor should take payment in installments. Beware contractors that want all money up front. And make sure you are on site as much as possible...

HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC · Answer

Take a look at Sarah Susanka's 'notsobig' house for ideas. I did my masters work in design...years ago...and studied & developed a bunch of plans for what you're doing....accessory housing. Can't put my hands on any of materials now but take a look at http://rosschapin.com for some pretty decent permitable plans. If well done, what you are planning will not only be great for your parents....and give them independence while being close by but add value to your property as well! Look for anything to do with auxillary or accessory housing.....Good luck!!

Nautilus Homes · Answer

I would recommend NOT hiring someone who just draws plans, until you talk with 2-3 established Design-Build remodelers.  They can offer  you both construction & design ideas that allow you to meet your needs and keep you on budget.   All too often owner's have plans drawn that do not meet their budgets requirements and are forced to start over.  Once you've done this research you may still decide to get drawing done by a third party and bidding the project, but you will porbably find one of these remodelers is the right fit for your project needs.  Contact your local Home Bldrs. Assoc. for qualified remodelers.

JL Spring & Associates · Answer

Most all counties there in Florida have a fairly easy to navigate website that, when last I saw, even had paying featured contractors on their sites! Go to your county seats' site and 'noodle around' to find a specific builder or sit back and see if some of the fine member/contractors here on HT are operating in your area! Best wishes...JL

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Laura...I've been 'hanging out' on the 'Tiny House Blog' for a number of years... http://tinyhouseblog.com/ Kent there has been publishing all kinds of content on small homes and scaled down living. There are a number of commercial plans available through a number of sources. Spend some time there to get some ideas...then either look into some 'ready made' designs or work with a design / build firm. I pulled many ideas from that site when I designed and built my smallish 200 sq foot off grid cabin in New Mexico. Another option is working with some 'pre-fab' type builders...these can be portable units or even those constructed from old shipping containers. Here is a pic on my passive solar, off grid cabin.

Laura H · Answer

Also, I want to add that my parents do not have a home of their own to sell nor do they have any other financial security to help with a project like this. Due to serious economic setbacks, they have only their meager social security to live on and presently are staying at a church facility where they help people getting out of jail to stay off drugs, and rehabilitate their lives, etc.  My father is 78 years old and in poor health and unfortunately, depending upon southern California traffic, it can take us 2 to 2 1/2 hours to reach them.  Therefore, they need to be close to me so that I (we) can help to care for them.  Thank you to everyone who has responded with their suggestions and advice thus far!

Ricardo B · Answer

We solved two problems with one combined solution.  I needed a bigger garage and my in-laws needed to be within easy access of the rest of our home.

We remade the attached garage into the in-law suite with access to the main house and their own access to the back yard and driveway.  Worked great!

We then build just the right detached garage I needed for my cars and extra space for doing 'projects' without having anyone hollering to keep down the noise.

HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC · Answer

It's really a phenomenal way to save money, reconnect with your family and provide older parents with some security, good meals and happy bonding with grandkids.  My Mom is 85 and fighting to stay in her 4500sf home....just doesn't make sense anymore.  I'm converting the basement for now to a 1bedroom suite...and then likely purchasing a larger home down the road.

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Laura,
Before you do anything, I recommend you check with your local zoning folks and make sure you can build a guest house, per say.
It gets a little tricky here in Virginia Beach and we have to jump thru some extra paperwork hoops depending on how the property is zoned.

Neece · Answer

I live in Georgia and am going to be moving in with my parents. We're discussing having a small cottage built in my parents' backyard. They have 2 acres and it's not in an HOA subdivision. We found the perfect spot to build such a cottage.  Do the regulations in Cobb County Ga allow this?  They are on septic tank, so the small cottage for 1 person would need to be connected to their existing septic tank and utilities. No garage or driveway needed. Also, we'd like to do this for $25,000 or less. Thoughts?

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Neece it is not just the HOA that could break this deal. Most cities have zoning and code issues as well. One way around many of these is via a small home built on a trailer. I have been following a number of web sites that are part of the 'tiny house' movement. You can poke around on some of these to get some ideas. The whole 'trailer' or 'fixed' foundation will be something to take up with the local building authorities. http://tinyhouseblog.com/ http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/pages/houses http://www.tinyhomebuilders.com/tiny-house-book?hn=1 http://www.fourlightshouses.com/pages/tiny-houses I have pulled a lot of ideas from some of these places when I started on my own small cabin build. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/my-cabin-531377

HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC · Answer

You're best to get with someone at the county and talk through what you are planning to do. I would also think you're budget is way low unless you are capable of building it all yourself. It will more likely run $50k to $65k depending on the plan you wish to build.

My husband and I are looking into building a small backyard guest house for my aging parents.

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My husband and I are looking into building a small backyard guest house for my aging parents.

My cabin

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